Technology, Interagency Cooperation Lead to Safe Recovery of Missing Habersham County Girl

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A combination of modern technology and cooperation between law enforcement agencies led to the safe recovery of a missing 12-year-old Habersham County girl and the arrest of a suspect in Florida, according to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

The girl was reported missing from the Mt. Airy area on Thursday, May 21. During the investigation and search efforts, deputies determined the child had left with an individual in a vehicle that was possibly traveling toward the Georgia coast.

Investigators obtained the vehicle’s license plate information and entered it into the Flock Safety license plate reader system while also utilizing cell phone location data in an effort to locate the girl.

Authorities said both the vehicle and the cell phone were later detected in the same area near Daytona Beach, Florida.

Lt. Justin Williams of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office contacted a law enforcement counterpart with the Daytona Beach Police Department, a connection established through their involvement in the annual Police Unity Tour. Williams provided officers with information about the vehicle, its direction of travel and its last known location.

“Within 15 minutes, they had the vehicle stopped and had confirmed that the female was safe and the driver was in custody,” Williams said.

The annual Police Unity Tour is a 300-mile bicycle ride from Norfolk, Virginia, to Washington, D.C., held to honor fallen law enforcement officers. The ride concludes at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum said the case demonstrates the value of license plate reader technology when used for public safety purposes.

“This is what Flock Safety is designed for,” Krockum said. “Flock LPR cameras only capture vehicle data and do not collect personal information, facial recognition, or anything tied to individuals. But today a 12-year-old is back safe with her family thanks to our ability to access vehicle information through that system.”

Authorities identified the driver as Tyler Williamson. He is currently charged with interstate interference with custody. Investigators said the case remains active and additional charges are possible.

No further information about the child was released.